Pre-Historic Fossils

Making up about 14% of South Africa’s area, the Eastern Cape is renowned for its biodiversity and boasts a rich fossil record stretching back 560 million years. A well-known dinosaur fossil site sits just outside the town of Kirkood where the first complete dinosaur fossil was found. Nieu Bethesda in the Graaff-Reinet area is home to the Kitching Fossil Exploration Centre. Guided walks through river beds and other discovery areas gives visitors the opportunity to find and view ancient fossil remains.